UK Courses & Exams

Obviously we’re a little biased here! We run the Essex Ham Foundation Online course, which has now had over 11,000 candidates take part. Our free course usually runs every 2 weeks, and we have a pass rate of close to 99%. There are no live sessions and no webcam needed – study at your own pace.

Foundation material is delivered in an online classroom and uses fully-narrated videos, quizzes, mock tests, handouts and more. You can chat online with a tutor and other students on the course, and we have Facebook and Discord support groups. There’s also a fast track for those in a rush. Our next course start dates are:

• 17 Dec 2023
• 7 Jan 2024
• 21 Jan 2024
• 4 Feb 2024

If you’d prefer a different online option, there are alternatives:

• Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) – A 2-week interactive online course with live Zoom lessons – usually running twice a year
• “Gettin Tae Grips” (Billy GM6DX) – Sign up for 58 lessons, including quizzes and links to Youtube videos
• Harwell ARS (Club)– Occasional 2-day weekend courses over Zoom

Other Resources:

• Cornish Radio Amateurs YouTube – Videos covering Foundation course material
• Cambridge & District ARC – Downloadable slides for Foundation
• Chelmsford ARS – Downloadable slides for Foundation.
• RS Harrow – Foundation material on YouTube
• Hilderstone Radio Society’s Foundation Licence Manual for Youngsters (PDF)

We also recommend the RSGB Foundation Manual to support your remote studying – Paper version or Kindle Version

 

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Links to help you find a local training group and a venue to sit your Foundation exam locally:

• Amateur Radio Foundation Courses & Exams – A list of the clubs who’ve told us they’re running training
• RSGB Club Finder – RSGB’s list of all of the UK clubs – most don’t offer training, but your local club may be able to point you in the right direction
• HamHub UK Regional – Take a look at the HamHub Forum for your area, and ask for locals to help
• RSGB Regional Teams – Contact your local RSGB rep to see if they can help

We also recommend the RSGB Foundation Manual to support your studying – Paper version or Kindle Version

 

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If you’re looking to study for your Intermediate licence, here are three well-established online courses that we’re happy to recommend:

• Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) – 6-to-8 week interactive online course with live Zoom lessons – usually running twice a year
• “Gettin Tae Grips” (GM6DX) – This is an on-demand course… sign up and get started
• Bath Distance Learning – Respected course with several tutors offering support and tuition. Runs over several months, typically once a year

Other Resources:

• Cornish Radio Amateurs YouTube – Videos covering Intermediate course material
• Cambridge & District ARC – Downloadable slides for Intermediate.
• Chelmsford ARS – Downloadable slides for Intermediate. (Not yet updated for Sep-19 syllabus)
• RS Harrow – Intermediate material on YouTube

We also recommend the RSGB intermediate Manual to support your remote studying – This is available as a Paper version or Kindle version

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Here’s how to find an in-person Intermediate course, or to find a venue to take your Intermediate exam:

• Amateur Radio Intermediate Courses & Exams – A list of the clubs who’ve told us they’re running training
• RSGB Club Finder – RSGB’s list of all of the UK clubs – most don’t offer training, but your local club may be able to point you in the right direction
• HamHub UK Regional – Take a look at the HamHub Forum for your area, and ask for locals to help
• RSGB Regional Teams – Contact your local RSGB rep to see if they can help

If you don’t have any luck – try an online course.

We also recommend the RSGB intermediate Manual to support your remote studying – This is available as a Paper version or Kindle version

 

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If you’re looking to study for your Full UK amateur radio licence, there are two well-established online courses that we’re happy to recommend:

• Bath Distance Learning – Respected course with several tutors offering support and tuition. Course runs over several months, typically annually August to December
• Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) – An 8-week interactive online course with live Zoom lessons – usually running twice a year

Also worth considering:

• Cornish Radio Amateurs YouTube – Videos covering Full course material
  Strangford High Frequency Enthusiasts Group – Course delivered over 14 weeks, twice a year. Course uses Zoom, email, and phone. Contact [email protected] for details (no website)

We also recommend the RSGB Full Manual to support your remote studying.

 

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If you’re looking to study for your Full UK amateur radio licence in person, or take your Full exam at an exam centre, here are some handy links:

• Amateur Radio Full Courses & Exams – A list of the clubs who’ve told us they’re running training
• RSGB Club Finder – RSGB’s list of all of the UK clubs – most don’t offer training, but your local club may be able to point you in the right direction
• HamHub UK Regional – Take a look at the HamHub Forum for your area, and ask for locals to help
• RSGB Regional Teams – Contact your local RSGB rep to see if they can help

If you don’t have any luck – try an online course.

We also recommend the RSGB Full Manual to support your remote studying.

 

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You don’t have to go to a physical location to book your exam – you can take your exam online at home. All you need is a compatible Windows or Mac OS computer, a webcam and a soundcard. Here are the two links you need:

• Find out about taking your exam online
• Book an online exam (RSGB website)